I've had pretty good luck with local suppliers overall, but you're right—after a big storm, it's hit or miss. Last year, one place ran out completely, and I ended up driving two towns over... not exactly ideal, but hey, got the job done.
"Last year, one place ran out completely, and I ended up driving two towns over... not exactly ideal, but hey, got the job done."
Yeah, been there. After the last big storm, my usual spot was wiped clean. Ended up borrowing sheets from a neighbor who'd overbought—saved me a trip, at least.
Yeah, been there. After the last big storm, my usual spot was wiped clean.
I get the convenience of borrowing from neighbors, but personally I'd be cautious about mixing sheets from different batches or manufacturers. Even minor variations in thickness or coating can cause issues down the line—uneven wear, corrosion spots, or even leaks. After the last shortage, I started keeping a small stockpile of standard-sized sheets in my garage. Takes up some space, sure, but beats scrambling around town after every storm...
Totally agree about mixing sheets—learned that the hard way myself. Even slight differences can cause headaches later. I usually hit up local supply yards right after storms; sometimes they restock quicker than big-box stores...worth checking out if you're in a pinch.
Good point about local yards, but I've found their stock can be hit-or-miss quality-wise, especially right after storms. Sometimes they're rushing to meet demand and you end up with sheets that aren't exactly pristine...had a few warped ones myself. I've actually had better luck ordering from smaller regional manufacturers online—they usually have consistent specs and decent turnaround times, even during busy seasons. Just another option if you're particular about uniformity.